Page 15 of Warrior

Lyric, 10 weeks later…

Colt.

His last letter arrived, and at the bottom, he only signed his name. A piece of my heart cracks, breaks off then dissolves into ash in my bloodstream. He’s pushing me away. It’s been over two months. The summer is gone, and autumn is starting to make itself known. Time has become a literal clock with every colorful leaf that pops up and the temps that start to lower each night. Some friends have started leaving for college and are holding last hurrahs at our favorite places.

Like Colt suggested, I’m keeping my spot at the University of Alabama. Momma’s been packing for me all week before shipping all my things down there. Since they frown on freshmen having vehicles, my dad bought me a one-way ticket. My plane leaves in two days. That was the absolute last flight I could get. Part of me was still hoping to see Colt before I leave. Even though it makes me feel weak, I’m only keeping this plan because he asked me to, and it was our plan together.

Right after he and Zane reported for basic training, I started writing him. His first few letters were long, and he explainedthat mail had to be earned and takes forever to get. He told me not to expect things to move too fast. In the past few weeks, his letters became nothing more than a few sentences. He never responded to my question about where he’ll be stationed either. I made sure to tell him I decided to still go away to college, even though the idea gives me nightmares. I haven’t slept since Colt left. Anytime someone mentions Alabama, I break out in hives. But I keep it all to myself. My parents have expressed their resentment toward Colt while Camryn coddles me as if my puppy ran away. Things are better when his name is just not mentioned. Even my siblings are tiptoeing around me these days.

Wiping under my eyes, I shove the letter into my bag and walk faster to meet the girls for brunch. Tonight we’ll go to the bonfire party with our group of friends, our last time getting together before we head off in different directions. Of course I’m the last to arrive. Camryn and Jamie Lynn already have their iced lattes and are looking over the menu. I hope I can fake eating enough without them questioning me.

I sit and we order. My smile never falters while they talk excitedly about their respective universities and move-in weekend plans. The pile of stones in my stomach builds higher and higher until my knuckles turn white around my mug of tea. My tongue feels like sandpaper in my mouth and my eyes threaten to water again.

“Have you heard from Colt this week?” Camryn asks, shooting me a knowing look. My best friend is too smart for her own good sometimes.

I manage a small smile. “He finished basic. I don’t know where he’ll be stationed,” I repeat back the information I’ve received in my letter today before the cold send-off.

“Girl, I don’t know how you’re doing it. If Mason did that without telling me, I’d have chewed him out and made himgrovel.” Jamie Lynn flicks her wrist. My heart squeezes at her words. I don’t know why I’m so worried about what my friends think, but I can’t help thinking they make sense at the same time.

“We did fight. I just know this means a lot to him, so I’m trying to be supportive,” I answer, biting my lip against the pain these words cause.

“You are the world’s most supportive girlfriend,” Camryn responds, her hand touching mine gently.

“Besides, it’s not like I can’t ever transfer later.” I shrug, trying to keep things light on my end. They share a look between them.

“Did he ask you to transfer yet? If he knows where he’s going, maybe you could head there next semester.”

My smile falters. I don’t recover quickly enough for them not to see it. Slowly, I shake my head no. Jamie Lynn gets up to sit in the booth with me, wrapping her arms around me. I crumble. The rest of our lunch is spent cheering me up and I feel guilty again for ruining what is supposed to be a fun time with my friends.

“What time will you be home?” Momma calls from the kitchen while I’m putting my shoes on. After brunch today, I’ve done my best to shake off my mood and still want to go to the bonfire party tonight. I’ve wallowed the whole summer. I deserve to have fun tonight and relax. Maybe even dance. It will be months until I see my friends again for the holidays.

“I’ll try and be home by one,” I tell her, pecking her cheek, while I slip on my jean jacket.

“Don’t rush,” she laughs lightly. “Just enjoy tonight, okay? This time goes by so quickly.”

I nod at her, giving her the best smile I can, before grabbing my keys and heading out the door. My phone beeps in my pocket right as I get in my car.

Camryn: We need chips. Can you stop?

Lyric: Yup! I’m just leaving now so I have time to stop.

Camryn: Perfect! See you soon.

Sighing, I head out of my driveway and turn toward town. In my rearview, I see lights on at Colt’s and my heart thumps painfully. Mr. Street is rarely home these days. I’ve heard rumors about his drunken escapades at the local bars. I’ve thought many times about checking in on him, then I remember the shiner and bloody lip Colt was sporting that night and change my mind.

The grocery store is quiet, with only a few cars parked in the lot. I run in quick and grab some of the known favorite chip flavors off the shelves. For my favorite cheese ones, I stand on my tiptoes to reach the bag. Right before my balance gives out, I feel a hand on my back.

“I sometimes forget how short you are,” Zane says behind me. I whirl suddenly and almost topple over. I haven’t heard from him since graduation. While Colt has been easing out of my life, Zane made himself scarce from the beginning. The little fuck didn’t even write while he was at basic, even after I wrote him.

“I’m not short, you’re just freakishly tall,” I say, before remembering my righteous anger. I turn on my heel and begin to walk away. He catches up to me in three strides, his handcupping my elbow. This time I turn and really look at him. In the past few months, he’s bulked up. His hooded sweatshirt stretches across his chest and his skin looks tan like he’s spent hours outside. His usual blond locks are gone, the hair on his head shaved short. He looks mature and older than when he left.

“Lyric, I’m sorry, okay?” His voice gentles. “I know I should have said something. I just didn’t know how at the time. I didn’t know how to help Colt when all he had asked me was to keep quiet.”

“If you didn’t want to betray him, fine, I get it. You could have helped him tell me then. I felt like an idiot not knowing everything we’d planned just flipped and no one seemed to care that I got hurt,” I tell him, weeks of frustration coming back in full force and knocking my intentions to put it behind me for the night right out the window. Maybe I will be drinking tonight.

“You’re right.” Zane nods his head, chewing on his bottom lip. “I was wrong. I could have done more. At least you guys can talk about it tonight, right?”

My heart stops. My eyes jump up to Zane’s. “What?”

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